Gift of Prophetic Encouragement , livre ebook

Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
© 2018 by Debbie Kitterman
Published by Chosen Books
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55438
www.chosenbooks.com
Chosen Books is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
Ebook edition created 2018
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-1461-1
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com
Scripture quotations identified ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2011
Scripture quotations identified MESSAGE are from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Scripture quotations identified NASB are from the New American Standard Bible®, copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)
Scripture quotations identified NKJV are from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations identified NLT are from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations identified KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible.
The personal testimonies included in this book are real; however, some names have been changed.
Cover design by Rob Williams, InsideOutCreativeArts
Endorsements
“Debbie is, first, a woman with the heart and calling of a pastor. Some are too quick to call themselves a prophet just because the Lord graced them with a word that edified, exhorted or comforted someone. This author keeps the focus on the care of souls, not their manipulation. I recommend this read to all who want to serve the people of God.”
Dr. Jim Hayford Sr., author, professor, preacher
“ The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement demystifies the spiritual gift of prophesy by explaining what it is, what it is not and how God longs to breathe life, hope and healing into the lives of His children through the gift of prophetic encouragement. In a world that is so quick to focus on the negative, The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement is a breath of positive perspective straight from the heart of God for His children. Debbie repeatedly rests on the truth that God wants us to encourage one another, and she has done that from cover to cover. You will come away gently convicted, encouraged and ready to encourage!”
Dr. Michelle Bengtson, neuropsychologist; international speaker; author, Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’ s Personal Journey through Depression
“Debbie Kitterman has written a balanced and instructive resource that will encourage followers of Jesus to live out their faith in a way that is desperately needed in today’s culture. A truly prophetic lifestyle lived out in the character of Christ is the hope many are looking for. ”
Rev. Tammy Dunahoo, vice president of U.S. operations/general supervisor, The Foursquare Church
“No doubt, we want to honor God and to love as Jesus loved. The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement helps us do just this. Debbie Kitterman trains us in the right way to encourage, inspire and share godly wisdom. The time is now to transform lives through the power of love.”
Kelly Balarie, national speaker; blogger, Purposefulfaith.com; author, Battle Ready: Train Your Mind to Conquer Challenges , Defeat Doubt and Live Victoriously and Fear Fighting
“Be prepared to learn and be inspired! In her warm and engaging style, author Debbie Kitterman invites you to explore new ways to embrace a lifestyle of encouragement. Weaving biblical truth with compelling stories, this book will motivate you to joyfully respond to a rewarding and exciting adventure with God.”
Judy Gordon Morrow, author, The Listening Heart: Hearing God in Prayer
“While Kitterman skillfully unpacks the concept of prophetic encouragement, it is a mistake to think that is all this book offers. Readers cannot help growing in their understanding of Scripture, falling more in love with Jesus and becoming excited to serve God through edifying and encouraging the Church. Absolutely brilliant!”
Robynne Elizabeth Miller, M.F.A., board president, Inspire Christian Writers
“Debbie’s book on prophetic encouragement is super helpful! This resource will help you unlock both wisdom and encouragement on a daily basis!”
Sarah Bowling, founder, Saving Moses
“This book is for every believer who desires to hear from God to breathe His life, hope and healing into situations and people through the gift of prophetic encouragement. Debbie helps unpack the spiritual gifts so that we understand we are all prophetic! God is always speaking, and He desires for us to partner with Him to call forth things in others to remind them of His love and attention toward them. An authentic relationship with God blossoms when we can spread His joy and love by asking Him to use us to bless others with His message for them.”
Tanya Jernigan, executive director, The Jernigan Foundation
“It’s true! God wants to speak to you and through you every day. Debbie has lived and taught that in a way that is so inspiring and so practical for all of us. If you long for a faith that is both deep and part of daily life, you’ll want to read and reread The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement .”
Rich and Kirsten Root, pastors, Northwest Foursquare Church
“ The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement is one of the most encouraging books I’ve read in a long time about the Holy Spirit’s simple gift of prophecy. Like Debbie, too many people in traditional churches have hungered to hear the voice of God but have been told, ‘It’s not for today,’ or, ‘It’s not for you.’ Sharing her own journey, Debbie builds a beautiful bridge for people who desire to experience the supernatural voice of God, but in a grounded and biblical way. Her book is relatable and biblically sound, and it provides an excellent process for those who are hungry for more.”
Jennifer Eivaz, founder, Harvest Ministries International; author, Seeing the Supernatural and The Intercessors Handbook
Dedication
This book is dedicated to you!
Yes, you ! As you read the pages of this book, I pray that my testimony and those of others will inspire you to be courageous. God is calling an army of ordinary people to rise up and release His love and heart to a world in desperate need. I pray this book would spark an awakening in the body of Christ, an opening of ears to hear the voice of God and a courage to step out in obedience to share His love with the world. It is time, Church. God is calling you. Awaken and arise!
Epigraph
God wants to communicate with us just as He did with Jesus when He walked on earth. Jesus’ relationship with the Father is prophecy in action.
Contents
Cover 1
Title Page 2
Copyright Page 3
Endorsements 4
Dedication 5
Epigraph 6
Foreword by Wayne Cordeiro 9
Acknowledgments 13
Introduction 19
1. Open Invitation 25
2. Direct Access 33
3. God Speaks Today 41
4. A Glimpse of the Prophetic 51
5. Chosen and Qualified 61
6. Prophecy 101 67
7. First Steps 77
8. Open Doors 87
9. Put It on the Altar: Testing Prophecy 93
10. Hear God First 101
11. Danger Zones 109
12. Help Wanted: Perfect Ordinary People Only 119
13. Missing the Mark 125
14. Circle of Trust: Being Submitted, Committed and Connected 139
15. The Perfect Example 149
16. Working Together 157
17. It’s Not about Me 165
18. Heart Check 177
19. Embracing the Lifestyle of Encouragement 191
Appendix 1: Quick Reference Guide 195
Appendix 2: Entering into Relationship with God 203
Appendix 3: Baptism of the Holy Spirit 205
About the Author 207
Back Cover 208
Foreword
The one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. . . . I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy.
1 Corinthians 14:3, 5
Some things, like another pair of socks on Christmas morning, are added extras, but other gifts are much more than an optional luxury.
They are necessary gifts.
Like being rescued by a stranger when you are stranded in the middle of the night, or being caught after tripping headlong toward a cliff and saved from a fatal accident. These are gifts that can alter our future.
Archived in a safe place within the Library of Congress you will find an odd blue box. Written on the label are these words: Contents of the President’s pockets on the night of April 14, 1865 . History reminds us that this was the fateful night President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. Among the items in the box, you will see a handkerchief embroidered A. Lincoln , a small pen knife, a pair of spectacles repaired with string and a wallet containing a Confederate five-dollar bill and some worn newspaper articles. The newspaper clippings are most interesting. They report the great deeds of Abraham Lincoln. One of them records the declaration of John Bright, a British statesman, that Abraham Lincoln is one of the greatest men of all time.
Today, history tells us of the exploits, leadership, speeches and dee